Legislative session in Baton Rouge is over, for now , but there is a lot going on in our corner of the world. Please reach out here with questions or for assistance:

 

If you know someone who would like to receive these emails, please have them sign up  here . I also post news links regularly  here  on my website.

Next TUESDAY July 21 at 7pm, I'll be hosting a zoom call with several very special guests:

MY FIRST #LALEGE SESSION

My first legislative session was actually two: the ending of the regular covid-shortened session, and then a special session focused, to some extent, on covid-related issues and business community priorities. Unfortunately due to covid,  public input  was  minimal , and  many legislators  refused to  wear masks  while in the Capitol. I also received several new nicknames from far right extremists during these two sessions, including Face Mask Barbie (lol) and the "AOC of Louisiana Politics." ;)

Democrats were able to pass some good bills the regular session, including quite a few focused on  criminal justice reform . I worked with the  Justice and Accountability Center  and the  Louisiana Stop Solitary Coalition  to pass the first change to Louisiana law on solitary confinement in over 100 years:  HB 344  prohibits the use of solitary confinement for people who are pregnant or have just given birth. Interview on this bill with WWNO  here .

I fought valiantly for and against several issues that are important to many of us. The fight to expand voting rights and in particular universal vote by mail in Louisiana is ongoing, and  I am not giving up . If you are over 65+ or meet  one of these requirements , please try to register to vote by mail. (Nickname from Rs: Mail-in Mandie!) I also tried to get the house to pass minimal protections for  tenants facing eviction ; they refused. I tried to get the house to ask the attorney general to remove Louisiana from the horrible lawsuit attacking the Affordable Care Act;  they refused . The  fight  against alleged "tort reform" - which is really just an  attempt  to reduce the rights of civil litigants - was endless. Some bad bills on  guns  were unfortunately passed during the regular session.

Your new rep received a fair amount of attention  from the press this year , most likely due to my active presence on social media, and the  protracted  and  vicious  fight over so-called "tort reform." Nickname from The Gambit: New Young Turk (?).

COVID-RELATED NEWS

The best news we can hope for is that federal money and unemployment will be extended, but alas, we do not have that information yet. Those of us in New Orleans are very worried about children missing so much school - but we are not sure that the state and local parishes can  ensure  just yet that students, teachers, and staff will be  safe  when they return to school. 

Important state programs that will be starting this month: (1)  $250 grants  for certain frontline workers who make under $50,000 - click  here  to apply or call 1-855-307-3893; and (2) small business grants of up to $15,000 - click  here  to apply or call 1-888-795-4947. More info below.

***If you or a neighbor in District 91 needs help with unemployment or SNAP benefits, please email my office at  hse091@legis.la.gov  with name, date of birth, address, last 4 digits of your social security number, and phone number.***

REPRODUCTIVE RIGHTS

The recent decision by the Supreme Court in  June Medical  (my former client!) was a  happy win  for reproductive rights. I  spoke in front of SCOTUS  in March when that case was heard. I also wrote a  guest column  in the local paper recently on the  continued fight for health care  and reproductive rights in Louisiana.

ELECTIONS + CAMPAIGNS

This fall we will be electing quite a few judges, as well as a new district attorney. If you are interested in working or volunteering for a campaign, please respond to this email. Yes, there is campaigning during covid, although it is very different than usual.

I am still trying to retire some campaign debt, and have hopes of paying a part time staffer for the rest of the year to assist with neighborhood and voter outreach. If you are able to help fund this, I'd appreciate it. Click  here  to donate or email me directly.

Thank you as always for your support! This year has been difficult for so many. I will continue to work hard for the residents of New Orleans, and for everyone in Louisiana who needs help right now.

Be well,

Mandie

Representative Mandie Landry

Louisiana House of Representatives

District 91

MandieLandry.com

Paid for by Mandie Landry Campaign Committee